Tag: Charlie Ridgway

DISNEYLAND AT 70: Charlie Ridgway Found His Niche Covering Disneyland’s Opening

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Charlie Ridgway, who capped his wide-ranging professional career by being named a Disney Legend in 1999, was among the thousands of overheated people in attendance for Disneyland’s opening day. He was on assignment, covering the event for the Los Angeles Times-Mirror newspaper. “It was hot,” Charlie remembered during an interview I had with him in 2014, “and there were way too many people in the park. And not only that, but many of the attractions kept breaking down.” The day became known as Black Sunday for a reason.
No Comments

MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DISNEY: My Main Street Friends

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
During my 45-plus years of covering the wonderful world of Disney, I’ve had the distinct honor of striking up relationships with a good number of Disney’s more prominent cast members, whose careers are memorialized on windows along Main Street USA in California, Florida or France. Whenever I return to a Disney park, I make sure to renew acquaintances with my Main Street buddies.
No Comments

During its four-year run, Holidayland gave guests a Disneyland experience right outside the fabled berm

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
An aerial view shows Holidayland during its heyday, right outside the berm at Disneyland. Much has been written about the berm at Disneyland … those large mounds of dirt, cleverly placed foliage and other inconspicuous obstacles which keep Disney guests from seeing the outside world, effectively insulating them from reality. As Disney Legend John Hench … Continue reading "During its four-year run, Holidayland gave guests a Disneyland experience right outside the fabled berm"
No Comments

Charlie Ridgway and Rick Sylvain: Two Disney PR guys with the “write” stuff

Posted on by Chuck Schmidt
Rick Sylvain, left, and his former boss, Charlie Ridgway, crossed paths in England several years ago. As Rick puts it: “This was taken in 2007 after a travel writers’ convention in Manchester, England. Two friends and I were getting our rental van serviced deep in the English countryside. Who do we run across on that … Continue reading "Charlie Ridgway and Rick Sylvain: Two Disney PR guys with the “write” stuff"
No Comments